Free Software Foundation warns about the danger of computers becoming Windows-only, calls for signatures to defend the freedom to install free software

BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA — Monday, October 17, 2011 — The Free Software Foundation (FSF) released a statement open for public signing, titled "Stand up for your freedom to install free software."

The statement, published at
http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement,
is a response to Microsoft's announcement that if computer makers wish
to distribute machines with the Windows 8 compatibility logo, they
must implement a system called "Secure Boot." The FSF statement warns
against the danger that, if done wrong, this system would have to be
called Restricted Boot, because it could make computers incapable of
running anything but Windows.

The technology in question aims to protect against malware by
preventing unauthorized operating systems components from booting.
Stopping unauthorized tampering could be a feature, says the FSF, but
only so long as it doesn't prevent users from intentionally running
and modifying free software. If the boot system works in this fashion,
then it deserves the name many are already calling it, "Secure Boot."

However, the FSF is concerned that Microsoft and hardware
manufacturers will implement the system in a way that will prevent
users from booting anything other than Windows. In this case, the FSF
offers the more accurate name of Restricted Boot, explaining that such
a requirement would be a severe restriction on computer users and, by
giving only a remote third party control over what's authorized to run
on their computers, not a security feature at all.

"We're looking at a world in which it could become impossible for the
average user to install GNU/Linux on any new computer, so too much is
at stake for us to wait and see if computer manufacturers will do the
right thing. Secure Boot could all too easily become a euphemism
for restriction and control by computer makers and Microsoft —
freedom and security necessitate users being in charge of their own
computers," said FSF executive director, John Sullivan.

Those signing the FSF's statement urge all computer makers
implementing this system to resist any pressure to adopt Restricted
Boot:

We, the undersigned, urge all computer makers implementing UEFI's
so-called "Secure Boot" to do it in a way that allows free software
operating systems to be installed. To respect user freedom and truly
protect user security, manufacturers must either allow computer
owners to disable the boot restrictions, or provide a sure-fire way
for them to install and run a free software operating system of
their choice.

Signers of the statement commit to "neither purchase nor recommend
computers that strip users of this critical freedom," and to
"actively urge people in our communities to avoid such jailed
systems."

"I have been astounded by the number of people reaching out to us from
all over the world, asking us to help build awareness and put pressure
on computer manufacturers," said FSF campaigns manager, Joshua Gay. He
added that "some of the people who contacted us expressed their
nightmarish scenario of having even more hardware being tossed in
landfills as a result of this," referring to the popular trend of
reviving older hardware with GNU/Linux — something that would no
longer be possible if more computers were locked by design into only
running Windows.

Organizations interested in adding a prominent notice of their support
should contact Joshua Gay at campaigns@fsf.org.

About the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to
promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and
redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and
use of free (as in freedom) software — particularly the GNU operating
system and its GNU/Linux variants — and free documentation for free
software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and
political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites,
located at fsf.org and gnu.org, are an important source of information
about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's work can be made at
http://donate.fsf.org. Its headquarters are in Boston, MA, USA.

About Free Software and Open Source

The free software movement's goal is freedom for computer users. Some,
especially corporations, advocate a different viewpoint, known as
"open source," which cites only practical goals such as making
software powerful and reliable, focuses on development models, and
avoids discussion of ethics and freedom. These two viewpoints are
different at the deepest level. For more explanation, see
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html.